I've gotten information and perhaps misinformation on this topic. What's the final verdict, is it possible or advisable to use an rc network between the amplifier and hf driver when going active? And is top octave compensation even possible when active crossover is used in conjunction with these 500 cycle round horns? Still haven't managed much info, but have almost started a silly argument nonetheless!....Thanks, Jerrod

• CoolJazz

Thanks for butting in here! I'm very interested your opinion because you have direct experience with the SB horns. Have you ever used (or heard) a JBL 2426 in conjunction with the SB Baby Grand? I'm wondering what I could expect with these and what a far more expensive part as the TAD 2001 would offer as compared to the JBL 1" driver. Thanks again! Jerrod

Hope this helped.
Mike Bates

• CoolJazz

Talking to Victor Sierra at VSAC, he showed me a prototype 500Hz horn with a special flare rate for the TAD TD-2001. Supposedly, a stock tractrix on the 2001 will limit HF response. BTW, this has been my impression in the past of the Edgar salad bowels, a little too down in the top for my tastes.

Anyway, I visually compared the the revised flare horn with a stock S/B 500Hz horn, and in the 2001 model, the throat appeared to be conical to about 2/3 the depth of the horn, with a faster flare at the mouth.

With the new flare, he said it was flat to 20kHz. Like to try it (as soon as I get some work!).

But what I read was, "is it possible or advisable to use an RC network between the preamplifier and HF amp when going active?"

I just had it in my head that's what you meant when I wrote my reply.

Anyway, you can put reactive components in between the driver and power amp, just like if the system were not bi-amplified. But that limits your benefit from using a bi-amp implementation in the first place. In some cases, adding reactive components in the high current (speaker output) side of the system may be the only option. But in all but a few cases, I would recommend that you remove the crossover components from the speaker circuit and install them in between the preamp and main amp instead.